Do You Remember When?

1909

THE Headquarters Committee of General Baden-Powell's 'Boy Scouts' scheme have recently inaugurated in Hastings a Central Organising Committee, which takes in the District of Bexhill, for the purpose of introducing and working the objects which the General's scheme advocates. For this purpose, Captain H.C. Boys, of "Grasmere," Amherst Road, has been appointed and has undertaken the, District Secretaryship, and he is now actively encouraging and trying to enlist the sympathy and cooperation of all who are interested in furthering the movement which has already been taken up with much enthusiasm in many parts of the country. Bexhill District extends from Rye in the east to the extreme end of the Bexhill boundary in the west, circling northwards, and includes Hooe, Ninfield, Catsfield, Crowhurst and Battle.

ON Wednesday morning a nasty accident was caused to Mr. J. Titfen, an assistant in the employ of Mr. J.W. Colbran, jeweller, of St. Leonards Road, who resides in Hastings. He was out on his work attending to customers' clocks. Whilst cycling down Devonshire Road, just opposite Messrs. Lewis Hylands, the full force of the strong south westerly wind caught the bicycle and caused the front wheel to swerve in the tram lines. The front wheel was locked and Mr. Titfen was pitched off the machine on his head and rendered unconscious.

1959

WHLE reports from various parts of the country indicate that there has been a poor response to the special scheme organised by the local health authorities at the request of the Minister of Health for the vaccination of young people in the 15-25 year age group against poliomyelitis, the first of a series of sessions at the London-road Clinic on Wednesday evening proved 'a most encouraging start'.

THE premises of the former Holmwood School in Hastings-road are again to be used for education purposes. The property, now known as Worthingholme, was requisitioned by the Town Council towards the end of the last war and converted into flats. Now it has been taken over by Wilton House Preparatory and Kindergarten School.

1969

THE 'selfish attitude' of people who retired to Bexhill and then wanted nothing to change was criticised by the Mayor (Councillor E.T. Johnson) on Wednesday. Responding to the toast to the borough at the annual Tradesmen's Ball, he said the town needed to create jobs for its young people.

COMMENT on the 'surprising situation' that there were only two boys who had apprenticeships in engineering was made by the Headmaster (Mr. C.B. Evans) in his report at the Down County Secondary School speech day at the De La Warr Pavilion.

1979

THE public will have the chance to air its views on the county council plan to site a gipsy camp at Pebsham. An open meeting is to be held by representatives of the county council '“ but no date has been fixed.

AMID growing tension within the Town Hall, Rother councillors sat up till one o'clock on Tuesday morning secretly debating their staff problems. Rumour this was that if Rother does not soon come to grips with its internal unrest, staff will petition the authority.

1989

BEXHILL's architectural treasure should be cherished through the help of a "friends" group say enthusiasts. They plan to seek grant aid and to raise funds to maintain the De La Warr Pavilion in a manner befitting its status as a Grade One Listed Building and a 20th century architectural landmark.

1999

TIME is running out for rail bosses to clean up Bexhill station. Connex and Railtrack have until May 19 to carry out essential repair work or face being taken to court. Platform weeds must be removed and broken window panes replaced. And platform canopies must be repaired at the 97 year-old station. Rother District Council issued an enforcement notice because the station's poor state of repair, including peeling paintwork and broken glass, had an "adverse effect on the local amenity."

MORE than a million pounds may be spent this year on urgent De La Warr Pavilion work. New theatre seating and roof repairs are among the priorities. Members of Rother council's community and environment committee have backed a recommendation from community services director Tony Leonard.